Every day, more than 50 family members of asylum seekers are being allowed to join their relatives in the UK. In just one year, the number of visas issued for these reunions has skyrocketed.
Between September 2023 and September 2024, 19,154 family members of asylum seekers were granted visas, which is more than three times the 5,805 visas issued in the same period the previous year.
Out of this number, around 10,000 were children, while most of the adults were spouses. These visas, called family reunion visas, allow refugees in the UK to reunite with their immediate family members, such as spouses and children, as long as the family was formed before the refugee fled their home country.
Applicants for these visas are not required to speak English or show proof that they can financially support themselves. Once they arrive, they can access free healthcare through the NHS, as well as other public services. Many of these families come from countries like Syria, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran, and Afghanistan, where conflict and unsafe conditions have forced them to flee.
Critics, however, are raising concerns about the increasing number of visas being granted. Rupert Lowe, a Reform MP, expressed his frustration, stating that people arriving in the UK illegally should not be allowed to stay, and their families should not be allowed to join them. He believes the government needs to take stricter action to prevent illegal immigration and its associated costs.
Alp Mehmet, the chairman of Migration Watch UK, also pointed out the financial strain these arrivals place on public resources. He explained that families who are granted asylum and reunited with their relatives are often housed and given access to schooling, benefits, and healthcare. This has led to frustration among British citizens who are waiting for social housing or stuck in long queues for NHS services.
The Home Office defended its stance, emphasizing that the UK has a long tradition of offering protection to people in need through safe and legal routes. They argue that family reunion visas are an important part of helping refugees rebuild their lives after escaping dangerous situations.
Meanwhile, a recent study revealed there could be more than one million illegal migrants living in the UK, with most of them in London. Many arrived legally on work, study, or visitor visas but stayed after their visas expired. Critics have called for changes to immigration laws to prevent such cases and speed up the removal of those who are staying illegally.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the current situation as unacceptable, arguing that the system is being misused. He believes the government should address loopholes that allow false human rights or modern slavery claims to delay deportations.
The situation has sparked a heated debate about immigration, public resources, and how to balance the need for compassion with the need for stricter immigration controls.
